Squadron 42 access for Star Citizen owners is not automatic. Whether you own the single-player campaign depends entirely on when you pledged and the specific line items listed in your package. Players who backed before the package split in February 2016 or who purchased a dedicated add-on package before delisting have access, while standalone Persistent Universe starter packs do not include it.
How to Check If Your Account Owns Squadron 42
To verify whether your Roberts Space Industries (RSI) account contains Squadron 42 access, you must inspect the line items inside your pledge:
- Log in to the official Roberts Space Industries website.
- Navigate to your account profile and open My Hangar.
- Locate your active game package or combo pledge.
- Click the small expand triangle icon on the pledge entry to reveal all included items.
- Search the contents list:
- Star Citizen digital download gives you access to the multiplayer Persistent Universe.
- Squadron 42 digital download confirms you own the single-player campaign.
If your package only lists "Star Citizen digital download," your account does not currently own Squadron 42.
The February 2016 Package Split Explained
During the early stages of crowdfunding, Cloud Imperium Games bundled the Persistent Universe and Squadron 42 together into standard starter packages. That arrangement ended on February 14, 2016, when CIG split the titles into separate standalone products:
| Backer Timeline | Included Game Access | Add-on Availability at the Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pledged on or before February 14, 2016 | Both Star Citizen Persistent Universe and Squadron 42 | Automatically included in original starter packages |
| Pledged between February 15, 2016 and May 2023 | Single product chosen (SC or SQ42 base package at $45) | Could purchase the other module as an add-on for $15 |
| After May 2023 Store Delisting | Star Citizen Persistent Universe only | Standalone Squadron 42 removed from store pending price changes |
In May 2023, CIG removed standalone Squadron 42 pledges and add-on packs from the pledge store. According to official developer forum posts, the removal was intended to precede an expected price adjustment when the game nears release.
Squadron 42 Buyback Restrictions
In April 2026, CIG disabled the ability for players to buy back previously melted packages that contained Squadron 42.
In the RSI pledge system, players frequently "melt" (reclaim) pledges for store credit and later use buyback tokens to recover them. When users attempted to reclaim older discounted packages containing Squadron 42, the buyback queue began returning error notices stating the pledges were limited offers no longer eligible for buyback.
If you previously melted an old package that contained a "Squadron 42 digital download," you cannot currently retrieve it from your buyback queue. Only packages actively retained in your "My Hangar" inventory remain secure on your account.
Steam Listing and Account Linking
Squadron 42 has an official store page on Steam with a target release window of Q2 2027. According to the Steam store listing:
- The game is published by Roberts Space Industries and developed by Cloud Imperium Games.
- It requires linking a third-party Roberts Space Industries account.
- Minimum hardware requirements include Windows 11, a Quad Core CPU (Intel Sandy Bridge or AMD Bulldozer or newer), 16 GB RAM, a DirectX 11.1 compatible graphics card with 8 GB VRAM, DirectX Version 12, and 150 GB of storage space.
Whether existing RSI backers will receive a complimentary Steam key upon release remains unconfirmed by CIG. While the Steam version supports RSI account linking, existing owners should not assume a Steam-distributed license is automatically granted to RSI web-store buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does buying a Star Citizen starter package today give me Squadron 42?
No. Current starter packages purchased through the RSI store only provide access to the multiplayer Persistent Universe unless explicitly stated otherwise in specialized high-tier bundles.
Can I purchase Squadron 42 as a standalone add-on right now?
Squadron 42 is not currently available as a standalone purchase or standard add-on on the RSI store, having been delisted in May 2023. It will return to digital storefronts at a revised price point closer to launch.
If I kept my original 2015 package, do I need to pay extra when the game launches?
No. Backers who maintained an unbroken pledge containing the "Squadron 42 digital download" in their RSI Hangar retain full access to Episode One of the campaign upon release without paying an additional fee.
